Part One
"Hello Bangalan ! You're paid here to work okay? Not to go poking your nose in other peoples' business! What business is it to you if Jiji wants to do some cooking? It's her house, her kitchen, her Son ! Who are you to tell her not to? I've been watching you, these days you just walk up and down like you own the place, telling everybody what to do ! You think there's no one to object here? I am here ! And I hate it ! Watch your behaviour Bangalan ! " Radha Rani's hateful face invaded Sona's personal space.
"Bhabhi please," Ishwari protested weakly.
"No, Jiji! If you don't say something now, next she'll walking into Dev's room like she has every right to!! And Dev, being a young innocent and sweet , can't help but fall for a young lady throwing herself at him daily. Next, she'll be ordering you about like she's the Boss in this house! I can't bear to see that happen Jiji!! I told you to get Dev married quickly so many times... Can you bear with the likes of this' "gesturing insolently at Sona, " being your Bahu?! Bless your soul Jiji, you deserve much, much better !!"
Sona went into her defensive stone wall stance, standing there poker faced as Radha Rani sprouted shameless insults at her. Normally, she would just brush off her attacks, but today, her attacks were exceedingly personal, and direct.
"You better get rid of this Bangalan, Jiji, before she takes over your house, don't say I never warned you !!" she continued. Sona looked up slowly at Dev's mother, Ishwari. Normally, she would gently tell her Bhabhi to back off, but she was behaving strangely the past week. She waited for Ishwari to speak but all she saw was irritation and disdain.
For her.
Her stone wall crumbled miserably. Dev's mother does not think me worthy of him... Her normally stoic face was threatening to crumple into tears. I need to get out of here...
Abruptly she turned and walked out of Ishwari's room. She rushed down to the kitchen, and fumbled for her bag, stuffing things in. Kichu was washing dishes nearby when he saw the distress on her face.
"Doctor Didi, are you alright? Can I get you something? You look upset.." She was a favourite of his, such a nice lady, and hated to see her upset. But the concern seemed to upset her further. She continued stuffing things into her bag, not answering him.
"Kichu bhaiya, I have prepared a file , compiled Ishwariji's diet this last month. It should suffice from now for you. Just recycle the schedule and you should be able to manage without me. Okay? Anything just give me a call.." she said , preparing to leave.
"But... why?" he stuttered as she rushed out. The clock showed 2 pm, Dev bhaiya had just left after lunch an hour ago. He'd surely be back late , sometimes later than 9 pm. Kichu was sure Dev would want to know about this. But propriety kept him from making the call. He watched Doctor Didi rub her eyes and leave the house in a rush without looking back.
***
Sona rode the bus back. The noise and bustle distracted her somewhat from the heavy heart she was carrying inside. She had switched off her phone too, not ready to deal with Dev. Right now she needed her Ma. Ma, will tell me what to do.
She walked into her house and there Ma was, seated with Dadi. Both saw her distress instantly and called out to her. Without a word, she lay on her Ma's lap and burst into heartbroken sobs. Asha and Dadi were shocked to see her and scrambled to comfort her. Between the two moms, Sona poured her heart out, told them everything that happened; about how she might have to let go of her first love.
***
Dev came home to a strangely quiet house. Missing his usual sight of Sona waiting for his return, he walked up to the kitchen with a slight frown. Empty. He then hopped up the stairs to Mum's room and found her lying down, alone. He noted the full glass of juice just sitting on the side table. He checked that his mum was genuinely asleep, so he left the room to make a phone call.
He couldn't get a ringtone of Sona's phone, so he sent her a message. Must have been something important for her to leave without saying anything, he told himself. He went for a shower, checking his phone as soon as he came out. Nothing. No message, no return call. A niggling doubt began to creep in. He called her number a few more times to no avail.
Trying not to fret, he rang her house number. Mr Bose picked up and gruffly told him Sona wasn't home and hung up. His anxiety heightened. Something's wrong. He messaged her on Facebook, and Instagram but there was no response. He was grabbing his car keys to drive up to her house and find out when his mum called from her room.
Stamping down his anxiety, he hurried to her room and found she had spilled her juice and there was broken glass all over the floor. Kichu was scrambling to gather the broken glass pieces and Mum was determined to help. After a sound of consternation from him, she sat back and pouted like a little child while he and Kichu sorted out the mess and got her some dinner and settled her back. Mum's not well , I think, she normally doesn't fuss like this... he thought as he fed her dinner and made small talk about work and such.
As he massaged Mum's calves, he wondered what could have happened to Sona since lunch time. Whatever it was, she would always talk it out with him, not go silent like this. Thinking Mum to be asleep, he quietly picked up the plates and made for the kitchen. He spotted Kichu studying Sona's diet plan file and asked him.
"Sorry, Dev bhaiya, I was reading Doctor Didi's monthly plan so I can learn it up quickly. Did you need something to eat?"
"Why are you learning up the plan, doesn't Dr. Bose tell you what the daily plan is when she comes?"
"No, she said she's planned out monthly plans that can be recycled in her absence." Poor Kichu received a contemptuous glare as Dev snatched the offending file away.
"Sorry Dev bhaiya, I think Doctor Didi is intending to leave her job here. She was very upset this afternoon coming from Mummyji's room. She just packed her bag and left without a word. "
Dev's anxiety levels rose a hundred fold. He interrogated Kichu fully, and gathered that Mami and Ma were in the room when Sonakshi brought the juice. And minutes later she left upset.
Did Mami say something mean to her? He knew Mami was a little loose mouthed, mean spirited and cantankerous, but Sona knew she could come to him for support. Didn't she?
When did you ever speak up for her Dev? His conscience poked at him.
That's it ! I'm going to her house right now! He picked up his keys and made for the door when he heard mum calling for him again. Swallowing his frustration he dashed back to her room to see her complaining of a headache and dizziness. Going into full panic, he settled her in bed and rang for the doctor. Putting aside his worry about Sona for now, he concentrated on getting Mum treated.
What the hell happened this afternoon?
"Dev, beta? You will stay by my side won't you? Please don't go anywhere tonight...?"
"Of course ma. Where would I go when you're not well?" he replied quickly.
He peeped at his phone. Still no messages or calls.
Sona, please talk to me!
...continued...
CID
